Chapter I.-ELEMENTARY EQUITATION. 



A. 



SCHOOL OF THE TROOPER. 



(See French Cavalry Drill Regulations, Pt. 1, Art. 2.) 



B. 



ROLE OF THE INSTRUCTOR IN THE SCHOOL OF THE 

 TROOPER. 



Qualities of the instructor. — The instructor is the 

 prime mover in the riding instruction. He should be a 

 horseman; a man of character and endurance; he should 

 be always an example of correctness, tenacity, and exact- 

 ness. He establishes a logical progression conforming to 

 the spirit of the Drill Regulations; he assures the regular 

 succession of the steps in the course, and he keeps his pu- 

 pils awake and keen by the variety of his instruction; each 

 day brings out a new but forseen element. 



The explanations which he gives while mounted are 

 reduced to strict necessity. They are formulated with 

 precision and pronounced in such a manner and place that 

 every rider shall hear them. They are never given dur- 

 ing fast gaits. On the other hand, no individual fault hav- 

 ing bearing on the position or the management of the 

 horse should be let pass without correction; it is only by 

 incessant criticism of the same errors that a habit may be 

 corrected. 



The instructor is guided by the ability of his pupils; 

 he gives them in the beginning only the simpler difficul- 

 ties to overcome. He conducts his work methodically, 

 increasing his requirements little by little. 



He remembers that progress does not come from the 

 movement, but from the manner in which the movement 

 is executed. 



These prescriptions, taken together, form the "ef-prit 

 de methode," the framework of the instructici , b t i « ; 

 the soul. 



The instructor should, in his ii gei uit> ard bii- pr c t i 

 his role, find the ideas to introduce and the woids to ust 



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